Development and implementation of a weather-based, near real time, crop insect pest monitoring/prediction model and program for Alberta

The Challenge

Management strategies for insects typically has a reactionary response to damage due to spring being a busy time for growers. Having a better insect predictor model based off weather for insect management throughout Alberta would be a very beneficial tool for the grower and environment.

The Project

Develop a provincial weather-based near real time crop insect-pest monitoring and prediction model, initially focussing on the Bertha Armyworm, Wheat Midge and Alfalfa Weevil.

The Results

The results of the models for the three pests and their natural enemy have been integrated and coded to create the AB-WIPP (Alberta Weather based Insect Pest Prediction) mobile friendly wed pages available at the Alberta Climate Information Services (ACIS) website. Producers, entomologists, and agriculture field people will be sought after for feedback and validation on model and web application.

Grower Benefits

By accessing the website (weatherdata.ca/m), growers and industry people can easily discover information on the risk/threat, life cycle, outbreak cycles and more in their area on Bertha Armyworm, Wheat Midge and Alfalfa Weevil.